Real Mexico Restaurant

Food is amazing and the birria tacos were excellent!! So good and staff was really helpful and friendly. The parking is probably the worst thing about this place, but it's cause it's so popular. Also had to mention that the prices are excellent for the amount of food you get too. 😉

We've been going to Real Mexico for years. It's consistently delicious, great service, very reasonable prices. The birria selections are amazing, highly recommend. Everything is good. It's my comfort food.

I’ve dined here a few years ago and always wanted to take my family here, but they always suggested restaurants in the northeast Columbia area. I finally made good on my promise and they weren’t disappointed!
The food was amazing, service was friendly and attentive, served quickly, and did I mention that the food was amazing? This is the best Mexican restaurant in Columbia!!! My wife ordered the Poblano burrito, I ordered the Carnitas dinner, and my son ordered the Chori-Pollo. They were all fantastic!

Best Mexican food in the Columbia area in my opinion. They are quick and accurate with the orders. My Margherita was excellent. I definitely will return. My family really enjoyed their food as well.

Simply the best Mexican food in Columbia. Got Birria Tacos and they were the most flavourful I’ve had in South Carolina, let alone my life. The carne asada was also amazing.
Despite the tight parking squeeze, it was well worth it.

Truly a hidden treasure in Columbia, SC. The decor is a bit odd with what looks like stenciled art hanging from the ceiling and untidy bathroom, but the food can’t be beat! My kids were regular customers when they attended school at USC, and we visited often when we were in town. This past Sunday, I had the seafood fiesta, my wife had the Loco Burrito and my son had the Chilaquiles - all 3 entrees were lip-smackingly delicious and filling. We got there shortly after the 11 am opening and the place was already filled with customers. The salsa which came with the tortilla chips was a bit runny, but Overall, another great experience in authentic Mexican food!

I'll dance next time even though take myself on a date or it's a girls nite! Loved the music even though I understood 3 words max. Authentic Mexican food with huge portions. I knew it because I was originally from SoCal. Seafood tasted fresh. Margaritas could have been a bit stronger. Or I could get 3. The spicy salsa was 🔥 🥵 as I wished for.

Been coming here pretty regularly for the past decade. And I've never had a bad meal here. Not once. Service is always excellent too. Prices are more than reasonable.

The parking situation can be a little tricky as their little parking lot is usually... understandably... slam-packed (we usually just park across the street and Frogger our way across the highway).

Real Mexico is the real deal and an absolute gem. Consistently top-notch.

10/21 Update. NEW season apple pie wice cream added. Comes on sizzling hot plate with sauce drizzled when it arrives at the table. ORIGINAL: Superb food. Try the cochinita pibil tacos or the al pastor tacos. If you like heat, use the green sauce.

Haven’t eaten here in almost 10 years and I must say this was better than I remembered! I had the barria tacos and they were prolly the best ones I had and I eat them regularly in Florida. And the coronarita was on point! Can’t wait to come back here on my next visit to SC!

**Update**
It’s been 3 years since my last review and we ate here again last night. Once again, an excellent experience. I ordered the Birria and it was fantastic! They also offer the spicy salsa and it was still on point. Nice to see that even 3 years later they are still whipping up excellent Mexican cuisine!

Coming from south Texas I will tell you, it’s hard to find a good Mexican restaurant that is even a tad bit authentic. I went in with little hope as I do most of the time, boy was I shocked! I ordered the carnitas - they were amazing. I wasn’t a fan of the “salsa”, but they offered a red or green chile salsa and my, oh my!! I ended up ordering some to-go! Fair warning, do not order if you can’t handle the heat!

I’d highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a taste of real Mexican food. Grab yourself a churro before you leave - many places don’t offer the caramel stuffed ones and it was heavenly!

I’m already looking forward to my next trip back to Columbia so I can stop in again!

Wow.
It was as good as all the reviews claim. The place was packed at 1pm on a Sunday, but we luckily got a table immediately. I can't wait to go back.
Update 2023: The parking lot was packed and overflowing but we got lucky and were seated immediately. Our server was so nice. She checked on us frequently to make sure we had everything we needed. The food was so good. We started with a frozen peach margarita. We had their freshly made guacamole, mango shrimp ceviche, Monterrey fajitas, and Baja fish tacos. I put the ceviche on the fajita and 👌🏻😋. Incredible. We finished with a chocolate flan. And of course we had the chips and salsa. Our food came really fast. I love this place.

If you're in the West Cola area looking for some real Mexican food this is the place to go! It was packed, we parked across the street but was told a 10 min wait, which was totally fine. Then had a table with in 2 minutes. Waitress was so sweet! ❤🙌🏻

Everything about this place is top-notch. Delicious food and cocktails, great atmosphere, top-notch service. Incredible value for the food and portions. They even took the time to find a receipt for the night prior. Check it out, you won't be disappointed!

Nice Mexican food which you will really enjoy and the quantity is also very good. Do try the beef tacos and also the fish. The enchiladas is also very nice. Overall a wonderful experience and it’s truly as the name suggests that it’s real Mexico - real Mexican food. Do try it out and experience it.

I decided on the Loco Fries Burrito with barbacoa, and let me just say – it was amazing! It's absolutely my favorite California/San Diego style burrito that I've ever had, and I've had my fair share in both TX and CA. And although I'm uncertain of why exactly this burrito is labeled “Loco Fries” instead of a "Cali" Burrito. (which is available on their menu as well) The drinks were great as well. My wife ordered the tamales and while she said that they were very good, she wished she had ordered the burrito! (FYI for those doing takeout, the Loco Fires burrito comes wrapped up in foil for convenience.) Without a doubt I plan on returning soon for a full-on repeat experience!

It's very good! My server was awesome! Wish i would have remembered her name...I had the macho burrito for the first time it's like a whole meal in a burrito complete with carnitas inside ..and wife had there beef Taco salad witch looked delicious. I'm definitely going back

Great little hidden gem! We happened upon this place while driving south. I wish we were staying in the area for a while so we could try other items on the menu. Three of us had three different meals, all fabulous! Fast friendly service and the manager checked on us too!

Best Mexican found in this area! Trust me, I’ve tried just about every place. Love their fish tacos! The chips, salsa, queso, and guacamole is perfect, very authentic. I have had Mexican food in Southern California that is authentic and Real Mexico is quite close. Friendly staff!

Always enjoy going to real Mexico! Best Mexican in Columbia by far! They had apple pie for dessert that was amazing!